It was some time ago, that I searched on the internet for a Christian brother through whom I was blessed with much insight into certain areas of spiritual concern, quite a few years now past. I had come upon another situation that his experience might be helpful in, and this is why I sought him out. Please forgive my vagueness, but I do not wish to throw negative gossip his way.
Upon finding him, and what he currently is "up to" in the Lord's work, I was greatly distressed to find that he had become a Messianic Jew. Here is a man who at one time strongly clave to the Word of God, the King James Bible, but apparently now even that Bible has become irrelevant in his life.
It is assumed by many that Messianic Judaism is a legitimate Christian denomination, as it was also by myself for many years. It really isn't my habit to pick apart other brethren (when they are true brethren in Christ), so I am not quick to pick up on deficiencies when it appears they are following the Lord Jesus Christ. Even now, this message comes forth due to the recent prompting of scripture in my daily devotions, rather than being a mere item on some "hit list." As always, it is the Word of God to which we must jealously cling, as this is the confirming hallmark of a true Christian (John 14:23).
A Messianic Jew (MJ) has accepted that indeed, Jesus is the messiah; Orthodox Jews have rejected Him, and therefore are still waiting for his arrival. This of course means that MJs do not practice animal sacrifice, having accepted Jesus' propitiatory atonement through the cross. Beyond that, the rest of their practices are traditionally Jewish. Dietary laws, Sabbath observation, and Jewish holidays are parts of their practice; exact observances, and how strictly they are adhered to can vary.
This religious view, I suppose, has a certain strong appeal; it attempts to tie in the supposed "blessing" of God's chosen people Israel from the Old Testament with the salvation through Christ of the New Testament.
There is a definite propaganda within the organized churches that still supports Israel/Jews as God's people, but a closer examination of the scripture reveals something quite different.
First of all, the "blessings" which God gave to Israel were always conditional; if they obeyed, they were blessed, but disobedience meant being cursed (Deut. 28; Joshua 23:15,16; I Kings 9:3-9). By the time the Old Testament was finishing, Israel (as a whole; not every individual) had totally rejected the Lord; they were done repenting before Him, and it was time for the messiah to appear. When this happened, they again rejected the Lord: this time they did it directly to Him in person (Matt. 23:37,38). This was not only a rejection by the Jewish religious leaders, but by the majority of Jewish people. They loved the kind works of Jesus, but would not accept Him as their God, and creator (Matt. 11:20).
Yes, the Bible alludes to God's people Israel, and their return to the traditional Jewish homeland. But the Bible shows this to be a spiritual application, not a physical one. As we proceed into the New Testament, it is the church, the BODY OF CHRIST that is now considered to be the "Israel of God." See Galatians 6:16. We also have allusions to this in Romans 9:6; "...For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:" And in Galatians 3:29; "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
So every Old Testament prophecy of the latter-day Israel is a reference to those who have been saved through Jesus Christ, be they Jew or Gentile. We find prophecies of this in the Old testament, such as in Hosea 1:9,10; "Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God." I dare say that this scripture is confusing, unless you understand it as the rejection of the physical Israel, and the New Testament incorporation of the spiritual Israel. Please see our article The Israel of God for more detail on this subject.
Chapter one of Galatians warns us about serving "another gospel." It is addressing the fall of a Christian church into a works-based religion, and states clearly; "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor." -Gal. 2:18. Chapter 4, verses 9-11 condemn the special observance of days as a "weak and beggarly" element (this includes Sabbaths) which could indicate a fall from grace.
Dietary laws (which meats to eat) at this point are voluntary, and not required for a believer. I Timothy 4:3-6 makes this exceedingly clear, and this is the consistent teaching throughout the New Testament.
MJs are drifting away from real faith in Christ, and focusing upon outer works of no good value. I found compelling testimony against Messianic Judaism through the apostles in Acts chapter 15...
In this chapter we find that verses 5-32 are devoted to this subject- that's a lot! The issue at hand was circumcision, and the keeping the law of Moses (v.5); which some of the converted Pharisees were claiming to be needful for salvation. After much debate, the Holy Spirit spoke through Peter in resolving this matter. He reminded them how God had put no difference between the Jew & Gentile (v.7-9) back in Acts chapter10. And then he said something truly profound in verse 10; "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" -Bold italics added for emphasis. This is, from a Jew, a condemnation of Jewish religious tradition! The very reason for Jesus' coming was to free us from these laws of works, which were never sufficient to save us (Gal. 2:16,21).
So then the conclusion of this matter in Acts 15 is found in verses 20 & 29, the latter being directly of the communication sent regarding this. The issue was, should there be a keeping of the law of Moses; here is the answer; "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. fare ye well." -v.28 & 29.
That was it! Nothing else about unclean foods, or even Sabbath days was placed upon them. If the apostles continued in certain Jewish traditions, it was likely out of habit, but also for a testimony; it helped to further the witness of Christ amongst the Jews. But you can read this episode for yourself, along with the rest of the related scriptures in the Bible, and readily acknowledge that Jewish works of the law are of no merit in the spiritual sense. Some might still try to argue that MJs are okay, but I think that adhering to scripture closely should always be the primary effort of a true Christian. The book of Galatians is warning early believers about not following another gospel; Messianic Judaism seems to fit the description in that book very well!
It can only be speculated as to why my once devout Christian brother has become an MJ. His testimony indicates to me that he has a desire for a very active kind of faith, and perhaps alternative denominations seemed lifeless. He did also, however, yield quickly to many false teachings of "respected" church leaders, without thoroughly trying the spirits (I John 4:1).
Please read through the book of Galatians carefully, and with prayer. Let this be a reminder that a person's sincerity counts for nothing with the Lord- He requires obedience to His Word, without alterations.
"Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes."
- Deut. 12:8.
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